Member
I have 2 issues on my N54 engine. 1) The local autoshop put a temporary sealant around the oil filter housing of my e92 N54 engine to temporarily keep the oil filter housing from leaking until I fixed it. Now I'm having issues on removing it. Does anyone have any ideas on how to remove this? and 2) I've now stripped the screw (bottom screw closest to the front of the car. Any ideas on how to resolve? I figured I need to tackle the sealant first (see attachment). Thougths?
Wagon meister :)
BMW Tech Expert
I wonder what type of sealant they used? I hope that it wasn't something like JB Weld, for you will have problems getting it off except using a chisle and a hammer.
If all the bolts are out, you can try to use a thin bladed scraper, and tap it around the edges with a hammer to help loosen the housing up.
As for the bottom screw, you will need to get it re-threaded using heli-coil, Time Sert, or EZ Loc. Everybody has their favorites, so you may hear other companies too.
Darin
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M-Flight Member
Member
I hate to say it, but putting some crap on there as a half-assed measure to try and stop the leak was a terrible idea. Secondly, did you strip the threads in the housing? Or you rounded off the head of the bolt and now the tool won't grip it?
Take all three bolts out and try tapping it with a rubber mallet or plastic hammer. If you use something too hard (like a regular hammer) you risk doing more damage. Worst case scenario is you'll need a complete new oil filter housing.
BMW's are not the type of car to defer needed repairs or maintenance. And especially not the type of car to try some hack-job temporary fix.
ASE and BMW Master Certified Technician
Member
It's not the shop's fault he declined repairs and went at it himself. Clearly it should have been done by a professional. Now it's even worse than before. The heads are likely stripped off because of the type of bolts they are. You will need both a oil filter housing seal kit and bolt kit. This job isn't as easy as you think. There is coolant running though it, and the alternator is also supported on that housing bracket. So you'll need to remove the belt and unscrew and reposition the alternator, drain the coolant, replace the seals, (now drill and extract bolts) possibly need to remove the fan assembly for that. You also must get the proper bolts. You can't just use regular steel for these engines. The metals are incompatible and deteriorate from a chemical reaction. I got a genuine bolt kit on Amazon once for cheap. Don't just pop the housing off before draining coolant, you will get coolant into your oil galleys.
Member
Correction: Rounded off the head of the bolt not stripped the threads. Thanks for the response
Member
If you rounded the tips by trying to use a 6pt or 12pt 8mm instead of an E8, you may be able to get it off just by getting a proper E8 on it.Originally Posted by NardsNards
Otherwise an 8mm extractor socket should do nicely.
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Are you gonna eat that?
Member
Thanks all. I ended up getting it replaced at the shop.
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